Chapter 153 – If You Rely on Me That Much, I Shall Answer With Everything I Have

The hushed cargo station "Pick D4," lying right within sight of Coroshe. At its dock, a single large transport ship touched down, braking gently.

"Good work today. You're the regular delivery contractors, correct?"

The dock security guard standing in the corridor spoke in a flat, businesslike tone. The ship's hatch opened and a dozen-odd people in work uniforms stepped down.

"Good work. We'll be carrying the designated delivery items inside."

The man at the head of the group answered in a low voice, presenting an ID tag, and the guard, showing no particular suspicion, motioned them on with a wave: "Go right on in."

Following the instructions, the group smoothly moved large containers along on handcarts. Before long, as they reached a blind spot among the supply containers where no one could see them, four of them, including the man at the front, quietly broke away from the group and slipped into the shadows.

"That was easier to sneak in than I expected..."

Merry let out a sigh of relief, straightening the collar of her work uniform.

"We happened to be able to make contact with their regular delivery contractor. I am glad it went well."

Priscilla pulled her work cap down low again and smiled quietly.

"Still... that was a pretty daring move you pulled off, Lieutenant."

Grain cast her a look somewhere between exasperated and impressed, and Priscilla's smile only deepened.

"So the evidence of these so-called 'enhanced humans' that Argria is involved with lies sleeping here, then?"

At Letaria's question, Grain said, "...Well, probably."

◆◆◆

Two days earlier.

After remembering the "slender Makina" she had forgotten in the industrial district and contacting Grain over the comm, Letaria hurried back to their base, the hotel.

When she opened the door to the room, Grain and Merry were waiting with grim expressions, and Priscilla and the others had joined them as well.

"If you'd gotten back any later, I was about to file a missing-child report."

At Grain's words, Letaria put a small hand on her hip in protest.

"You too treat me like a child. How rude of you!"

She turned away with a huff, but there was no real anger in her expression. Priscilla, who had been watching the exchange peacefully, leaned forward and broached the main subject.

"First... Miss Letaria, would you tell us the details of what you witnessed in the industrial district?"

"Yes, gladly."

Letaria began to speak, drawing up her memories. In the half-ruined factory site in the industrial district, the eerie slender Makina that had once appeared before them had been hidden away. And the mysterious ash-gray-haired girl, Rofi, whom she had met right under its nose --

Letaria's intuition insisted strongly that the Makina, Rofi, and the mysterious facility that had vanished underground were all connected by a thick thread.

After she finished the explanation, Merry crossed her arms and voiced a doubt.

"Even if it's confirmed that the Makina that showed up in the Restful Sector and in the last battle belonged to Argria... that girl Rofi isn't necessarily directly connected to the incident or to Argria, is she?"

"I am quite certain she is connected. ...The basis is, well... intuition."

Weak when asked for a logical explanation, Letaria's tone dropped gradually lower. Grain, who had been quietly observing her, cut in.

"Well, I value the young lady's 'intuition' highly myself. It's always turned out that way so far. That girl Rofi might just turn out to be exactly the lead we've been looking for."

"Even the Captain...?" Merry said in confusion, and beside her Priscilla nodded quietly.

"Yes, I agree. In any case, that a child in such an unnatural condition is being left near Argria's grounds is itself an abnormal situation. Either way, it seems best to proceed with investigating and protecting her, including her personal safety."

Priscilla turned around quickly and sent a glance to Ranses, who had been standing by.

"So that is how it is, Mr. Ranses. Could you look into everything you can about the underground facility in Coroshe's industrial district, as quickly as possible?"

"Understood, Commander. I'll sweep it all, back-channel networks included."

Ranses accepted with a generous grin, and Priscilla turned her eyes back to Letaria and the others.

"And... there is another place we must head to right away."

◆◆◆

-- And now.

Gathered in the dark shadow of the containers at "Pick D4" were four: Letaria, Grain, Merry, and Priscilla.

"Adelina is handling backup. And Miss Merry, I'm sorry to ask, but could you take charge of securing the area around this dock and keeping our retreat route open?"

At Priscilla's instruction, Merry nodded reliably: "Understood."

"We will now explore the deep sections of the interior. As shown on the map we shared beforehand, this cargo station is a massive facility a full kilometer long. The interior is not small, and there will surely be security. Please take the utmost care."

Then Priscilla looked at Letaria with serious eyes.

"As for the girl Rofi whom Miss Letaria met the other day, let us pray that Mr. Ranses manages to protect her for the time being. We will do what we can here."

Grain and Letaria nodded silently at Priscilla's gaze.

Rofi was surely still beneath Coroshe even now. The girl had no freedom -- so if only they could seize decisive proof of wrongdoing at this cargo station, surely...

"Hey... are you really all right, Miss Letaria? It might turn into a dangerous fight..."

Merry peered worriedly into Letaria's face.

"Well, I'm inwardly sweating bullets over it myself. But I'm convinced that having Letaria's strength is better for this infiltration."

Grain deliberately blurred any mention of her specific "abilities," and looked at Letaria with deeply trusting eyes.

"I trust Mr. Grain's judgment completely as well. ...I know well enough that Miss Letaria is no ordinary person."

Priscilla, too, without letting her usual gentle smile fade, added her words with sharp eyes full of conviction.

"If you rely on me that much, I shall answer with everything I have. Leave it to me. I will expose their outrages to the light of day... and I will rescue Rofi, without fail."

Beneath her blond disguise, Letaria gripped her own chest hard and declared it firmly.